"Beach Muscles" A couple of months ago I was talking with a friend of mine about what the 5/3/1 "beach muscles" would be. The list was easy to come up with: Legs Traps Neck Shoulders Forearms These obviously aren't the usual muscles associated with the beach, but I live next to a corn field, so cut me some slack. Anyway, it gave birth to the 5/3/1 "Beach Body" Challenge. The key to the challenge is that performance is the main goal, not aesthetics. I always focus on performance. I believe that when one has a concrete training goal – for example, "press 300 pounds, box jump 45", and run a 6:30 mile" – training becomes more focused and goals become...

The most important thing to understand when training athletes is the difference between G.P.P and S.P.P. Also, it's important to understand that mastery in a specific discipline does not mean mastery in weight training. In fact, it is usually the opposite; master of one thing, beginner of another. This is very lucky for you, whether you are a coach or an athlete. What this means is that you don't need advanced or fancy training methods to achieve results. Besides the huge pile of dung that is "sport specific training", the misunderstanding of training mastery by elite athletes is ruining training.

In a previous life I was military explosive ordnance disposal technician and approaching 40 I feel every mile run, bomb suit worn, parachute landing, and Afghan trail cleared. Now as a father of two very young ones with limited time I believe you wrote the 2x2x2 program with me mind. Without a doubt anyone can find two days a week for strength.

On the flipside of conditioning, you have “easy” or the standard conditioning. What this offers is a way to zone out and relax. A way to discipline yourself to adhere to a schedule. To escape the constant mind-hustle and the mental gymnastics that goes on all day and night.It's easy to say “I don’t need to condition now” because many people technically don’t. But I guarantee you will.